Better late than never, I guess

A resolution endorsing the expansion of Medicaid was approved by Texas Medical Association delegates Saturday at the group’s annual meeting in San Antonio.

“The patients need the care and, if we pass Medicaid expansion, it will lower our taxes. How can you be against that?” said the measure’s author, Dr. Robert Luedecke, a San Antonio anesthesiologist and member of the Bexar County Medical Society.

He doubtful the group’s stance will sway Gov. Rick Perry, who last month said, “Texas will not be held hostage to the Obama administration’s attempt to force us into this fool’s errand.”

The resolution, which Luedecke said was adopted by a voice vote of the 500 delegates gathered at the Convention Center, estimates that Texas could reap $100 billion in matching federal funds over a 10-year span in return for $15 billion investment, under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

A separate vote to oppose Medicaid expansion was voted down before this one was done, so they have that going for them, which is nice. I think it’s safe to say that the TMA has managed to avoid having any influence over the Medicaid expansion debate for the legislative session. I do mean it when I say “better late than never”, but in this case, not by very much.